How to Upscale 1080p to 4K: Step-by-Step Methods That Actually Work (2026)

Quick Answer: How I Upscale 1080p to 4K

From my experience, the best way to upscale 1080p to 4K is to use AI-powered video upscaling tools, because they analyze frames and reconstruct details instead of simply enlarging pixels.

Here's how I usually decide:

• My go-to for fast, consistent results: UniFab Video Upscaler AI (Fastest one-click AI method & Best for batch jobs and beginners)
• When I want deep manual control: Topaz Video AI (Highest manual control & Model-based tuning)
• When I'm already editing: DaVinci Resolve or Adobe Premiere Pro (Built-in editor workflow)
• When I need a free, technical solution: FFmpeg (Free command-line option & Built-in editor workflow)

Below, I'll walk you through exactly how to do it with each method.

Introduction

Upscaling 1080p to 4K is no longer just about stretching pixels. With modern AI-based tools and advanced scaling algorithms, you can now reconstruct missing details, improve sharpness, and export true 3840×2160 video suitable for YouTube, TVs, and professional workflows.

In this guide, you'll learn how to upscale 1080p to 4K step by step, using both AI-powered upscalers and traditional video editors. Each method focuses on how to do it, what settings to use, and when to choose each approach—so you can get the best possible results from your footage.

What Does Upscaling 1080p to 4K Actually Mean?

Upscaling 1080p to 4K means converting video resolution from 1920×1080 to 3840×2160. This increases the total pixel count by 4×, but the original footage does not contain that extra detail.

There are two main approaches:

• Traditional scaling: Interpolates pixels (bilinear, bicubic, Lanczos)
• AI upscaling: Uses deep learning to predict and reconstruct missing details like edges, textures, and fine patterns

Because of this, AI upscaling generally produces sharper, more natural-looking 4K results, especially for faces, text, and motion-heavy footage.

Method 1: Upscale 1080p to 4K with UniFab Video Upscaler AI

UniFab Video Upscaler AI is one of the simplest ways to upscale 1080p to 4K using AI. It's ideal if you want clear steps, minimal setup, and consistent results, especially for multiple videos.

Step-by-Step: How to Upscale 1080p to 4K with UniFab

1. Launch UniFab Video Upscaler AI
2. Click Add Video and import your 1080p footage
3. Enable AI Upscaling
4. Set Output Resolution to 4K (3840×2160)
5. Adjust enhancement options (sharpness/noise reduction if needed)
6. Choose output format (MP4, MOV, etc.)
7. Click Start to export the upscaled 4K video

Why UniFab Works Well for This Task

• AI model trained specifically for video detail reconstruction
• Handles batch upscaling without complex presets
• No manual timeline setup or model switching required

Best for: Users who want a reliable, repeatable 1080p→4K workflow without technical complexity.

Method 2: Upscale 1080p to 4K with Topaz Video AI

Topaz Video AI is frequently cited for high-quality AI upscaling due to its model-based approach.

Recommended Settings

• Resolution: 3840×2160
• First choice model: Artemis High Quality
• Advanced control: Proteus Fine Tune (manual sliders)

Steps

1. Import your 1080p video
2. Select Upscale to 4K
3. Choose Artemis HQ
4. Preview results → fine-tune if needed
5. Export with high bitrate

Note: Topaz offers deep control but requires more time for previews and tuning.

Method 3: Upscale 1080p to 4K with DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve includes Super Scale, a non-AI but advanced scaling feature.

How to Use Super Scale for 4K

1. Create a 4K timeline
2. Import 1080p clip
3. Select clip → Inspector
4. Enable Super Scale
5. Set scale factor to 2×
6. Adjust sharpness and noise reduction

Best for: Editors already working inside Resolve who want a free solution.

Method 4: Upscale 1080p to 4K in Adobe Premiere Pro

Premiere Pro is convenient, but I treat its upscaling as a basic workflow, not a quality upgrade.

My Usual Steps

1. Create a 4K sequence (3840×2160)
2. Place 1080p footage on timeline
3. Right-click clip → Set to Frame Size
4. Apply sharpening or noise reduction if needed
5. Export at 4K with high bitrate

Tip: Premiere does not add new detail—results depend heavily on post-processing.

Method 5: Upscale 1080p to 4K with with FFmpeg

When I need a free or automated solution, I use FFmpeg:

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf scale=3840:2160:flags=lanczos -c:v libx264 -crf 13 -preset slow output.mp4

• Lanczos offers sharper results than bilinear/bicubic
• No AI detail reconstruction
• Requires bitrate tuning to avoid softness

Which Method Should You Choose? (Quick Comparison)

• Maximum automation & ease: UniFab Video Upscaler AI
• Maximum manual AI control: Topaz Video AI
• Editing workflow integration: DaVinci Resolve / Premiere Pro
• Completely free: FFmpeg or Resolve Free

If your goal is fast, consistent 1080p to 4K upscaling with minimal setup, UniFab is a strong practical choice—especially for creators handling multiple videos.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to upscale 1080p to 4K is about choosing the right method for your workflow. AI-based tools now make it possible to produce cleaner, sharper 4K results than traditional scaling ever could. If you want a straightforward how-to process that delivers reliable results without technical overhead, UniFab 1080P to 4K Upscaler offers one of the most accessible solutions for turning 1080p videos into high-quality 4K.

FAQ about Upscaling 1080p to 4K

Can a 1080p video be upscaled to 4K?

Yes, a 1080p video can be upscaled to 4K. I’ve done this many times using both traditional editors and AI-powered video upscalers. The key difference is how the upscaling is done: traditional scaling simply enlarges pixels, while AI upscaling analyzes the footage and attempts to reconstruct missing details. This is why AI-based tools usually produce much better 4K results from 1080p sources.

Is upscaling to 4K worth it?

In my experience, upscaling to 4K is worth it in many scenarios, but not always. It makes the most sense when:

• You're uploading to platforms like YouTube, which favor 4K content
• The original 1080p footage is clean and well-lit
• You want better perceived sharpness on large 4K displays

However, upscaling won't magically fix poor-quality footage. If the source video is heavily compressed or blurry, the improvement will be limited—even with AI upscaling.

How to upscale a 1080p monitor to 4K?

You can't truly turn a 1080p monitor into a native 4K display, but you can simulate 4K output in a few ways.
From my testing, the most common options are:

• Enable GPU-based upscaling (such as NVIDIA DSR or AMD VSR)
• Use operating system display scaling to render at a higher virtual resolution
• Connect a real 4K monitor for true 4K output

These methods improve perceived sharpness, but the physical resolution of a 1080p monitor does not change.

Is 4K 200% of 1080p?

No, 4K is not 200% of 1080p—it’s actually 400% in total pixels. Here's why:

• 1080p resolution: 1920 × 1080 ≈ 2.07 million pixels
• 4K resolution: 3840 × 2160 ≈ 8.29 million pixels

Both the width and height are doubled, which results in four times the total pixel count. This is why upscaling from 1080p to 4K is technically challenging and why AI upscaling can make a noticeable difference.